The end of the year is fast approaching, and with it my last release for 2014. For my December Showcase, I'm sharing a snippet of my futuristic urban fantasy - No Angel - and introducing my oh so charming incubus, Lucien (think fallen angels meet Bladerunner, lol).
He stalked the streets of the city, the part that he had an unspoken claim on. Around him, those few humans venturing into the cold, wet weather walked with silver rain sticks in their raised hands, the buzz of invisible energy umbrellas keeping them dry. Beams of light from flying vehicles criss-crossed the clouded sky above. The odd blaring of collision warnings or irate drivers too impatient to wait their turn at the aerial stop signs broke the incessant hum of traffic. Towers and gothic arches in black marble and black glass surrounded him, glinting in the bright gleam of lurid neons. Mirrored panels reflected the 3D adverts that would spring up in front of commuters, like pranksters leaping out of hiding.
Lucien strode through them all as they tried to seduce him with the latest social drug, eating place, bar, or males and females available for company. Next, it offered things to increase his libido, at which he laughed, then cosmetic alterations to enhance his appearance. Lucien snorted. As an angel, he’d been beautiful. As a demon, he’d kept his looks, but his demonic nature had sharpened his high cheekbones and narrowed his face, turned his already dark skin a shade darker. He could class himself as drop dead gorgeous and appreciate the utter literal nature of the phrase.
When that failed, the ads tried targeting him with off-world travel as they followed him around. Lucien smiled. He already belonged to another world that most humans might have forgotten they could reach. Little did they know it would still be their final destination.
At last, even the holographic advertising left him alone. Contrary to what humanity might think, the supernatural beings of this world had adapted to technology, if somewhat more slowly than their mortal cousins. There were demons on the outer planets too, and new versions of Hell that linked them to the original to ensure the sinners still met the fate they deserved. Crossing space was no defense from supernatural beings who could cross dimensions as yet unknown and unexplored by the human race.
Brightness caught his eye. A woman, tall, artificially blonde but with a mouth and figure as lush as one of his succubi sisters. Her gaze met his for an instant, then fluttered away shyly. Lucien sidled to a stop alongside and turned to look at her fully. She hesitated, also halting. A blush colored her fair cheeks.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” A hint of uncertainty in her voice. She hadn’t quite fallen under his thrall. Yet.
“In another life, perhaps. My name is Lucien.” He took her hand and kissed it, a custom so ancient it was now only seen in old movie archives. But every visible inch of her skin flushed a shade of rose in response, and she smiled. Her blue eyes glazed over as his full charm overpowered any resistance she might have put up. She was all his in that moment.
“Annalise,” she breathed.
“Beautiful Annalise,” he purred, and felt her shiver. “Take me home with you.”
Without another word, she did.
***
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